Hello all!
I hope all is well in the world of good beer, amazing food,
doing outdoorsy stuff for fun, rain, grass, and trees!! My life in Senegal has
been going splendidly! A couple of the highlights of the last 2 months!
· Michele Sylvester Scholarship
o This is an amazing scholarship program for
local middle school girls that display financial need and academic merit. I met
with the local middle school teachers to select a total of 9 girls (3 from each
grade) who want to continue their education, but money is an issue. I got to go
to all of these sweet girls houses, meet their families, and interview them
about why they like school, what they want to be when they grow up, what their
favorite classes are, etc. Three of these girls will be invited to the Matam
Girls camp in the fall! I have loved every day spent with these girls and their
families. Talking about their hopes and dream and the importance of education!
·
Mural Tourney for the New Health/CED stage
o 5
villages in 5 days! We painted maps of Senegal, Africa, and a mural about
mosquito bet net maintenance and repair. It was amazing seeing so many
different sites and meeting so many Senegalese people. Senegalese people pride
themselves in their hospitality and that really shined through during this
tourney. I ate some of the best food, had some of the best conversations I’ve
had in Senegal on this exhausting journey.
·
Seed Extension
o This
is a major project of my primary sector work. I have been meeting with farmers,
visiting their fields and giving them 1 kilo of improved seed varieties. Once
the rains come, they will farm the improved varieties and I will return every
other week to collect data on the growth of these seed varieties, as well as
the techniques of the farmers (for example how and when they weed and thin,
additions of amendments, how and when they harvest, ect.). During my visits I
will discuss improved techniques, pest management techniques, and teach them
how to store seeds for next year. It’s been keeping me busy. But it has been
great spending time with these hilarious old Pulaar men.
·
Ramadan
o For
those who don’t know about Ramadan. It’s a Muslim holiday in which every
healthy Muslim adult around the world is fasting. Look it up! I have
participated in the fasting every day in village. From 5am to 7pm we don’t eat
or drink anything. It is one of the hardest things I have ever done. By 11am my
mouth is dry and my whole body aches for water. Every day is 100°F, it is so dry in the
desert and people never complain about the lack of water. These are some of the
toughest people I’ve ever met. Breaking the fast is a beautiful time. We break
it with dates, bread, and delicious ice-cold water! Then we rest. I go to sleep
and am woken up 2 more times in the night to eat meals before the sun comes up.
Once the rains come, everyone will be working in the fields, while also
fasting. I am not looking forward to that time, but I know that these tough
Pulaars will get do it without a complaint.
Anyways, got to get back to sight. It’s a busy time. But I
hope all is well with my loved ones back in America! I love your letters and
packages! They bring me so much joy!!
Love,
Heather McG
